It’s been a week since Edgar Wright made a joint announcement with Marvel that he not be directing Ant-Man. Whatever controversies and confirmations came after the fallout has the studio on a massive search to fill key positions left vacant by Wright’s departure.

Now that Marvel Studios has to get Ant-Man ready by the July 28 start date, or they could run the risk of pushing the film’s release date back. But Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige intends on releasing the film as scheduled. So in order for that to happen, the Marvel will need to fill in key positions, one of which is obviously the position of director, and now a shortlist of directors has popped up, all of whom actually may be able to bring Wright’s vision to life.

Hit the jump to see who Marvel has on their list.

According to THR, Rawson Thurber, Adam McKay, and Ruben Fleischer are all being considered for the job.

Thurber is perhaps best known for his work on the surprise comedy We’re the Millers and Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story. The director is attached to direct the former, and is also tapped to direct an adaptation of Choose Your Own Adventure. According to the report, he has also met with Disney to helm the sleepover comedy titled Overnight. Remember Disney owns Marvel, so what happens during those meetings could help Thurber land the Ant-Man gig.

However, many are saying that McKay and Fleischer are the more likely candidates to direct the film. McKay has made a name for himself directing outlandish comedies like Anchorman and its sequel, Step Brothers, and The Other Guys. What makes McKay the perfect choice is he already has a working relationship with Anchorman star Paul Rudd, who will play the film’s titular character.

Which leaves us with Fleischer. Gangster Squad was flashy, but it wasn’t without its problems. However, since he has ZombieLand and 30 Minutes Or Less on his resume, he has a better understanding of what does and doesn’t work in action-comedies like Ant-Man.

Of course this is just a shortlist of names, Disney and Marvel may not even choose any one of the three. But with a start date looming, they will have to choose someone fast.

Who do you think will end up directing Ant-Man?

[Source: THR]